Nurse accused of hitting care home resident in face

Allegations: Priory Park Care Home where Mr Murray carried out work

A nurse has been accused of a string of misdemeanour’s involving nursing home residents, including hitting one man in the face.

John Albert Murray, believed to be in his 70s, has been asked to attend a hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council on Monday over nine different allegations, and could be struck off if found guilty.

Mr Murray was working for Fulwood-based NYS Nursing Agency at Walton House in Walton-le-Dale, and Priory Park Care in Penwortham, at the time of the allegations.

The claims are that while at Walton House on January 2 last, he did not administer and/or sign for the administration of Tramadol to a resident.

While working at Priory Park on January 30/31, 2013, he is accused of moving three residents without their consent, attempting to check Resident D’s incontinence pad without his consent, inappropriately restraining resident D, hitting Resident D in the face and saying to Resident D “don’t you ever attack me, we’re not having this,” or words to that effect.

He is also accused of instructing a college not to attend to the personal hygiene of Resident A, lifting resident E by both of her legs while completing personal care, and sleeping on duty.

A spokesman for Walton House said he only worked there for a single shift and a complaint was filed to the NMC.

He said: “He has never been back and nor will he be.”

A spokeswoman Four Seasons Health Care which runs Priory Park said: “When members of our care staff raised concerns about the standards of care provided by an agency nurse, he was suspended from working with our company and the manager notified the nursing agency and the relevant authorities. The wellbeing of the people in our care is our priority and we have an active whistle-blowing policy that encourages our staff, or residents and relatives, to report any concerns they have about any aspect of care. We are grateful to our caring staff for their vigilance in notifying us of their concerns. It would be inappropriate to comment further ahead of the outcome of the hearing.”

Ajay Seetal, owner of NYS Nursing Agency, said Mr Murray was suspended as soon as the allegations were made, and had since decided to retire.